Brandywine Red Maple
Acer rubrum 'Brandywine'
A superior red maple cultivar selected for its outstanding fall color that develops earlier and lasts longer than typical red maples. This fast-growing native produces brilliant orange-red to deep red autumn foliage that's among the most reliable and intense of any maple variety. Its adaptability to various soil conditions and consistent performance make it an excellent choice for homeowners wanting guaranteed fall color.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
2–9
USDA hardiness
Height
40-120 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Brandywine Red Maple in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shade-tree →Zone Map
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Brandywine Red Maple · Zones 2–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasional Flooding, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet. Water: Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 120 ft. 0 in., Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.. Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 120 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: more than 60 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Root Cutting, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The paired, winged, fruit is in a "V" shaped, red, pink, or yellow, winged samara about 3/4 of an inch long on drooping stems. They turn tan or brown when mature and drop from the plant. In North Carolina, the samaras are available from April to July.
Color: Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Samara. Length: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Showy
Harvest time: Spring, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Winter
Edibility: The sap contains sugar and this can be used as a drink or be concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water. The syrup is used as a sweetener on many foods. This species only yields about half the quantity obtained from the sugar maple (A. saccharum).
History & Origin
Origin: Newfoundland to Florida West to Minnesota Oklahoma and Texas.
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Compaction, Deer, Drought, Fire, Heat, Pollution, Urban Conditions, Wet Soil
- +Attracts: Attracts Pollinators, Buffer, Colorful, Edible fruit, Pieces Used in Games, Screening, Shade, Wildlife Food Source, Wind Break
- +Edible: The sap contains sugar and this can be used as a drink or be concentrated into a syrup by boiling off the water. The syrup is used as a sweetener on many foods. This species only yields about half the quantity obtained from the sugar maple (A. saccharum).
- +Fast-growing
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hosta
Thrives in maple's shade and complements root systems without competition
Astilbe
Enjoys filtered shade and moist soil conditions created by maple canopy
Coral Bells
Shallow roots don't compete with maple, tolerates shade and seasonal leaf drop
Wild Ginger
Native groundcover that thrives under maple canopy and suppresses weeds
Ferns
Natural woodland companions that utilize different soil layers and moisture
Azalea
Shallow roots coexist well, both prefer acidic soil conditions
Pachysandra
Dense groundcover that prevents soil erosion under maple's drip line
Impatiens
Annual shade lover that benefits from maple's filtered light and leaf mulch
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that can stress maple trees and inhibit growth
Norway Maple
Aggressive root system competes for nutrients and water, creates dense shade
Turf Grass
Competes heavily for surface water and nutrients, requires frequent watering that can stress maple roots
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good disease resistance, few serious problems
Common Pests
Aphids, scale insects, maple gall mites
Diseases
Occasionally leaf scorch, tar spot, or anthracnose